August 10, 2022
This
morning I was reading in Proverbs 9. What struck me was the purposeful
similarities of the voice of Wisdom and the voice of Folly. Listen to
them speak:
Proverbs 9:1-6: The voice of Wisdom
1 Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her seven pillars.
2 She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her young women to call
from the highest places in the town,
4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
To him who lacks sense she says,
5 “Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways, and live,
and walk in the way of insight.”
Proverbs 9:13-18: The voice of Folly (portrayed as a prostitute)
13 The woman Folly is loud;
she is seductive and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house;
she takes a seat on the highest places of the town,
15 calling to those who pass by,
who are going straight on their way,
16 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
And to him who lacks sense she says,
17 “Stolen water is sweet,
and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
18 But he does not know that the dead are there,
that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.
Note
the similarities: Both Wisdom and Folly are portrayed as women. Both
call from “the highest point of the city” (vv.3 & 14). Both cry
out, “Let all who are simple come to my house!” (vv.4 & 16). Both
speak “to those who have no sense” (vv.4 & 16). Both promise a
luscious banquet of food and drink (vv.5 & 17).
But then the results are in stark contrast: God’s wisdom leads to life, while folly leads to death.
So what can we learn from this?
In many ways, every human being is simple and in need of wisdom.
However, some will seek the wisdom which comes from God. Others, either
consciously or by default, will seek the folly that comes from the
world and from our own flesh.
In addition, sometimes the call of God’s wisdom and the call of folly
from the world (and from our flesh) may, on the surface, seem similar.
But their foundations and results are polar opposites. We need God’s
Spirit and His discernment to seek out the wisdom which truly comes from
Him and not be fooled by the call of the world, the devil, and/or our
own flesh.
Finally, both God and the world (and/or our flesh) seem to promise the
same: a banquet of food and drink, i.e.—the fulfillment of joy and
pleasure. In one sense, both deliver. However, God’s banquet leads to
lasting joy and fulfillment—i.e., true life. The world and our flesh
only gives us temporary joy and pleasure and leads to ultimate death.
So what must we do? Pray for God’s wisdom and His Spirit’s discernment,
spend time in His Word listening to the true voice of Wisdom, and then,
choose life!